JONESBORO (AP) — Joy Fenech, a recovering meth addict, is staying at the Salvation Army shelter. Her ex-boyfriend, who she said is in jail, left her “high and dry in Manila.”

She said she subsequently went from home to home and was kicked out of each, before she “practiced (her) charm on a dope dealer” and wound up alone in a field.

“I will never touch meth again,” she said she prayed, “if you can stop this feeling.” Fenech was treated at a hospital and directed to the Salvation Army.

“I’m loving the new me,” she said.

Fenech was one of 12 women Tuesday who had their hair colored, cut and styled, their makeup applied and their nails painted at the Jonesboro Creative School of Cosmetology.

“I feel nothing but wonderful, and I feel nothing but love,” she said as Creative School student Tiara Morris tended to her hair.

Jack Elliott said he wanted to reach out to the community this holiday season.

The supervisor and instructor at the Jonesboro Creative School of Cosmetology, Elliot planned a day of free makeovers for women staying at Mission Outreach of Paragould and the Salvation Army homeless shelter in Jonesboro.

Tammy Kyle, who is staying at the Paragould Mission, said the free makeover allowed her to take her mind off her problems for a while.

Shirley Pittman, also staying at the Mission, said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been pampered.”

Versheka Whitaker, a student who was giving manicures, said the event was her first experience with charity work.

“I’ve been thinking about this all weekend,” she said. “As long as (the client) is satisfied, I’m happy.”

Elliott hoped the event would allow women to “match their inner beauty with outer beauty.” The end result was better than he expected, he said.

Elliott arranged transportation for the women, and he put together kits, each containing a nail file and eyebrow archer, for the women to take with them.

Students worked on hair and manicures, while Dillard’s make-up artists Elizabeth Maxwell, a Lancome associate, and Sharon Turner, a Clarins Cosmetics associate, applied the women’s makeup.

“Women understand women better,” Turner said.

Maxwell gave the women tips for achieving the look she gave them, and she said each woman would be sent home with a bag containing some products, including lip color.

Maxwell said she and Elliott attended Arkansas Beauty School in Conway, so when he asked her for help she was happy to contribute. She said she has given a similar presentation at Arkansas Beauty School.

Elliott said he was inspired by the owner Dennis Prude’s involvement with CityYouth Ministries. “He helped me create hope and a new beginning in my life,” Elliott said, and he hoped to do the same for the women who visited Tuesday.

Prude said the event was the first of its kind the school has hosted, and he plans to engage in more outreach.